Well-known B.C. magician ready to charm Chilliwack audiences

He may not wave a wand and chant “abracadabra,” but B.C.’s Shawn Farquhar is sure to amaze audiences during his Cabaret of Wonders IX magic show, which is rolling back into town this month to play at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre.

Chilliwack “almost (feels) like it’s home away from home,” says Farquhar. “After eight shows at the Centre … I know the patrons when I get (here), I can see the people in the back of the room, I can talk to them. It’s a great feeling,” says the magician.

READ MORE: Supernatural stylings of Camilo the magician

Originally from Maple Ridge, Farquhar has been dabbling in the mystic arts for more than two decades. Starting out small, he managed to garner global attention, and has performed his magic not only on TV dramas, but also for Penn & Teller, being the only magician to fool them twice on their reality show, Fool Us.

“It’s a great feeling,” says Farquhar. “I love all the trips around the world.”

For his ninth magical installment of Cabaret of Wonders at the Cultural Centre, Farquhar’s once again bringing with him Surrey’s Billy Hsueh, and Alex Zander from Port Coquitlam. But for the first time, Spain’s Woody Aragón will be joining the show to dazzle the audience with his incredible close-up magic, which has earned him a place as one of the greatest card magicians of the new generation.

READ MORE: Magic show brings smiles to Chilliwack

Cabaret of Wonders is an engaging show that’s sure to entertain everyone from newbies to hobbyists.

The Chilliwack Cultural Centre “is the perfect venue to experience magic for the first time,” adds Farquhar. “You can participate as much or as little as you want, (but) you will know the magic you’ll experience here is real because there are no camera tricks and it all happens in front of you.”

Shawn Farquhar’s Cabaret of Wonders IX will be appearing on Jan. 19, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25, and can be purchased at the Centre Box Office, online at ChilliwackCulturalCentre.ca, or by calling 604-391-SHOW(7469).

The two time Juno award nominated singer-songwriter, as well as a producer and community organizer, Alysha Brilla performed recently in Burns Lake. She is a critically acclaimed Indo-Tanzanian Canadian artist who just released her third self-produced album, "Human". Brilla's music draws on her unique background. A journey to her father's homeland delivered the inspiration for her to write and produce a lyrical record, blending Indian and East African sounds with a contemporary aesthetic. (Andrea Curry photos)